The hottest Medical Devices Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

“Sometimes I Forget I'm Paralyzed.” How Neuralink’s First Patient Found Freedom by Connecting His Brain to a Computer.

Big Technology • 6004 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Health tech Neuroscience Innovation Medical Devices
  1. Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic, was able to control a computer with his mind after getting a Neuralink device implanted. This technology allows him to communicate and interact with others in ways he couldn't before.
  2. Neuralink's goal is to connect human brains to computers, helping people with disabilities regain some lost functions. Arbaugh's participation in the first human trial symbolizes hope for future advancements in brain-computer interfaces.
  3. The ethical implications of brain technology are significant. While it can be used for good, like helping those with disabilities, there are risks and potential for misuse that society will need to address.

The Roche Nanopore Sequencer

ASeq Newsletter • 43 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Biotech Medical Devices Genetics Research Innovation
  1. The Roche Nanopore sequencer has impressive features like an 8 million sensor array and can process data really fast, but its chemistry isn't great.
  2. It has better density and throughput than some models but still needs improvements to stand out against competitors, especially Oxford Nanopore.
  3. Upcoming webinars will share more details, so it could be worthwhile to check them out if you're interested in this technology.

The Aktiia Bracelet is Almost Here

The Skeptical Cardiologist • 491 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Health tech Cardiology Medical Devices
  1. The Aktiia Bracelet offers a cuffless way for 24/7 blood pressure monitoring with accuracy validated through studies.
  2. Validation studies have shown that the Aktiia Bracelet performs well and satisfies established criteria for accuracy.
  3. Continuous and unobtrusive monitoring provided by the Aktiia Bracelet can give a more accurate representation of blood pressure throughout the day and night, potentially improving cardiovascular outcomes.

Space inventions: they are all around you

Space Ambition • 319 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Space Tech Medical Devices Consumer Products Food technology
  1. Many everyday items like zippers and Velcro were improved by space technology. These inventions help us in sports and other activities, showing how space research benefits daily life.
  2. Space technology has led to important medical advancements. For example, special pumps and dental X-rays have origins in space exploration, making healthcare better for everyone.
  3. Products developed for space, like memory foam and water filters, are now widely used on Earth. These inventions make our homes and lives more comfortable and healthy.
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Cochlear Implant Users Face Grim Future Without Repair or Upgrades

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Medical Devices Right-to-repair E-Waste Cybersecurity Legislation
  1. Cochlear implant users, especially low-income earners, face challenges when their devices become obsolete or in need of repair, potentially leading to loss of hearing if they can't afford upgrades.
  2. Repairing electronics could save Americans $50 billion annually; household could save approximately $382 per year by repairing electronics instead of replacing them.
  3. Tensions between corporate profits and the care of individuals emerge in the realm of medical devices, showing the importance of supporting repair initiatives and community aid over consumption.

US: 5 things to know about new cybersecurity rules for medical devices

The PhilaVerse • 123 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Cybersecurity Medical Devices FDA Approval
  1. New FDA rules require medical device makers to meet specific cybersecurity criteria for approval.
  2. Manufacturers must offer updates and patches for cybersecurity and develop a plan for addressing postmarket vulnerabilities.
  3. Rules focus on devices connected to the internet, like insulin pumps and pacemakers, not legacy technology.

Perkins' Tractors: a fashionable remedy put to the test

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
💾 History Medical Devices Clinical Trials Placebo effect Medical History
  1. Perkins' Metallic Tractors were an 18th-century medical device believed to relieve pain by attracting fluid away from the body using metal prongs, based on the concept of 'Perkinean Electricity'.
  2. Dr. John Haygarth conducted an early clinical trial on Perkins' Tractors, revealing placebo responses that influenced disease perception through imagination, showcasing the importance of evidence in medical treatments.
  3. Haygarth's experiments demonstrated the significance of comparing new treatments against controls, emphasizing the ongoing process of making clinical research as objective as possible.

The Forgotten Innovators of Medical Devices

Eugene’s Substack • 2 HN points • 30 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices Innovation History
  1. The founders of IVAC, Steve Sato and Wally Knute, were brilliant innovators in the medical device industry.
  2. Sato and Knute invented a hospital thermometer with disposal tips and a pump for regulating IVs, revolutionizing medical procedures.
  3. IVAC, the company they built, became a significant player in the medical device industry, yet their legacy has been largely forgotten.

Noninvasive Brain Activity Imaging

Rough Diamonds • 2 HN points • 05 Jan 24
🔬 Science Medical Devices Neuroscience
  1. Noninvasive brain activity imaging allows for measuring and mapping brain activity without surgery or bulky machines.
  2. Different imaging modalities like fNIRS, functional ultrasound, and portable MEG offer varying levels of convenience, spatial resolution, and depth of brain activity detection.
  3. Innovations like functional ultrasound and OPM-MEG show promise in providing noninvasive and portable options for measuring brain activity.

Nanopore Sequencing Companies: Geneus

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Medical Devices Genomics Startups Innovation
  1. Geneus is a nanopore sequencing company claiming 99% accuracy in their technology. They use special features that allow many sequencing units to fit on a tiny chip.
  2. Their sequencing method seems to be different from others, focusing on synthesizing a complementary strand with unique tags. This method helps identify the sequence of DNA more effectively.
  3. The advancements in size and technology from Geneus might be huge, but details on how they achieved this remain unclear.

Should indie medical-device techs have the ‘right to repair’?

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 21
🏥 Health Politics Medical Devices Right-to-repair Regulations Healthcare system
  1. Skilled technicians struggle with repairs due to lack of documentation, tools, and parts, causing delays for device users.
  2. Independent technicians lack legal leverage to access tools and resources necessary to repair medical devices like wheelchairs and insulin pumps.
  3. The FDA and FTC have supported right-to-repair policies for medical devices, emphasizing the importance of technicians in maintaining the healthcare system.

FDA approves first OTC CGM system

philsiarri • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices FDA Regulation Diabetes Health Technology
  1. FDA authorized the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM), Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, for individuals 18 and older not using insulin.
  2. The CGM system aims to help users understand the effects of diet and exercise on blood sugar levels, providing glucose readings every 15 minutes with sensors lasting up to 15 days.
  3. The FDA clearance for this device emphasizes increased health equity by making health monitoring more accessible, although some side effects like skin irritation and pain have been reported.

Roche Nanopore: First Thoughts (pt2)

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Genomics Medical Devices Innovation Research
  1. Roche is developing a new duplex approach that improves sequencing accuracy significantly, moving from Q20+ to around Q39. This is a big upgrade for DNA sequencing.
  2. The company aims to launch their product in 2026, but early access is expected in 2025. There's a chance they could face challenges during execution.
  3. While Roche's reads are shorter and competitive with other platforms, they will need to handle pricing and compete with long-read technologies from companies like Oxford and PacBio.